Cordarrelle Patterson shows Steelers the way to the end zone in loss to Lions

DETROIT — The way he hit the hole and ran virtually untouched to the end zone, high-stepping on the way in, it looked like Cordarrelle Patterson might have been returning a kickoff Saturday for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Instead, one of the NFL’s most decorated returners made his impact on a rushing attempt that provided the Steelers with an early lead in a 24-17 loss to the Detroit Lions.

Patterson burst through a seam in the middle of the field and scored on a 31-yard run that gave the Steelers’ first-team offense its first points in three preseason games.

It showed the value of a running back who had 1,166 scrimmage yards in 2021 and a career-high 695 rushing yards in 2022 with the Atlanta Falcons.

“I’ve seen that a lot over the last decade or so,” coach Mike Tomlin said. “It just hadn’t been in a uniform I’ve been associated with, so it was pretty cool.”

Patterson has scored an NFL-record nine touchdowns on kickoff returns, but he has yet to be used in that role with the Steelers, who signed him in free agency with the new dynamic kickoff rules in mind.

“I know what he’s capable of in that area,” Tomlin said. “The National Football League knows what he’s capable of in that area. I wanted to get a look at some others.”

Injury report

After missing a few days of practice, second-year cornerback Joey Porter Jr. didn’t dress against the Lions because of an undisclosed injury.

Tomlin called it a “minor” setback for Porter but did not go into specifics and said he wanted to “exercise a little caution.”

Tomlin used the same rationale to withhold rookie inside linebacker Payton Wilson from the game. Wilson suffered a concussion against Buffalo but was medically cleared to suit up Saturday.

Joining Porter on the sideline were fellow defensive starters Cameron Heyward, T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith. Heyward and Watt were rested. Highsmith is recovering from a groin injury.

Cory Trice Jr replaced Porter in the starting lineup and had two tackles, including one for a loss, before he exited with a groin injury. Rookie outside linebacker Julius Welschof had two sacks before he injured his knee. Rookie safety Ryan Watts was on the field for several moments with what Tomlin described as a stinger. Watts left the field under his own power but was taken immediately to the medical area.

Other players who didn’t see action because of injury were Roman Wilson, Jaylen Warren, Tyler Matakevich, Jeremiah Moon, Dylan Cook, Logan Lee and Troy Fautanu.

Stepping up (again)

With Watt resting and Highsmith resting his injured groin, Nick Herbig had another chance to shine in a starting role at outside linebacker.

Herbig had two sacks in a three-play span on the Lions’ opening drive, the second forcing a fumble that Dean Lowry recovered, which led to a touchdown.

Keeanu Benton and DeMarvin Leal split another as the Steelers dropped Hendon Hooker on three consecutive plays.

Herbig had 3 1/2 sacks in the preseason.

“He’s behaving like a guy who has had a lap around the track,” Tomlin said. “We want to see significant growth in all those second-year players. He’s an example of that, but he’s not alone. … He’s making a jump. He’s been there before. He’s finding his footing. He wants to be impactful, and we’ll find a role for a guy like that whether he’s a ‘starter’ or not.”

Playing the slots

One undecided starting position on defense remains at slot corner.

Thomas Graham Jr. got the first-team reps for the second game in a row. Undrafted free agent Beanie Bishop started the opener before missing the second game with an injury and sitting the entire week of practice.

Bishop remained on the bench against the Lions until the second half.

“You’ve got to earn opportunity,” Tomlin said. “I’m glad he’s healthy. We were going to give him opportunity, but when you go in a game is often reflective of the work you do leading up to the performance. To be quite honest, he’s had limited availability.”